| Popis: |
Duration times were determined for Pseudacteon curvatus Borgmeier pupae subjected to various temperature regimes. Pupae that had initially developed 12–15 d in parasitized fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, workers held at ~27°C were collected and subsequently held at different temperature regimes. Pupae exposed to a temperature of 26.7°C had the earliest peak fly emergence 15 d later. Pupae exposed to a lower temperature of 18.3°C for 12 or 19 d and then exposed to a temperature of 26.7°C required an additional 7 and 11 d to peak fly emergence, respectively. At 18.3°C peak fly emergence was delayed an additional 20 d. At 10°C for 12 or 19 d followed by 26.7°C, peak fly emergence was delayed an additional 12 and 18 d, respectively. Holding pupae at 10°C for 54 d followed by 26.7°C delayed peak fly emergence by an additional 51 d with a correspondingly high mortality. Fly survival rates tended to decrease as peak emergence was delayed. Models that predict fly emergence when pupae are held at reduced temperatures will prove useful in rearing programs where extended storage of phorid fly pupae is necessary for optimizing releases. |
